Angel's Authority

Part Three, Chapter Forty-Two: The Syndicate

Based on the Volition Inc.™ game: Saints Row: The Third™

THE BOSS

Not even the beautiful necklace I bought her could cheer her mood up. Not even her favorite takeaway and not even my rage attack when my card was declined. Angrily, I had gone to the ATM across the street but once I wanted to pull a hundred dollars off our account, a message saying "insufficient funds" was displayed. I had kicked the ATM one last time and Shaundi ended up paying for our Chinese food to-go.

I would have been so much better myself, knowing that I was cheering her up and being there for her in these moments of sadness and grief. Johnny and her had gotten so close during that past year that it must feel for her like a brother had died. I had totally gone blank though. The situation affected me less than I would have wanted to although I could say that at least I felt like a brother had died too.

It was all too inexplicable for me to really grasp what had happened. I am sure the depression will hit me when I least expect it or when I am alone. Ever since I can remember, I have never really shown heavy emotions to others that it had become a habit, a natural reflex even. I only do so once I am on my own.

But my mind was also dwelling on Loren and how we will have to deal with him immediately. Enough pleasantries and games of manipulation like last year. I had enough of it and in the end, it was worth nothing...

We would have to stay in Steelport for a while, the two of us had already called Pierce to take three quarters of the gang to help us. Ultor does not need to know about this. And with Ultor, I mean Eric. He will hear about the plans brooding in my mind when the time comes. Or once we have caused enough uproar to get his attention.

Shaundi was now giving me a tour of the city; she had been called here more than once for meetings and festivities revolving around her show. She had rented a car with the little money she had on herself and we were driving around calmer and more vivid neighborhoods while she was telling me important things about it although I had to admit that I was not properly listening.

Yet this city offered it all and that was what intrigued me the most. Unlike Stilwater – which was by far calmer still a little wealthier – Steelport had neighborhoods reaching from suburbs, over industrial districts to entertainment districts. It wasn't lacking anything.

I kept trying to listen to Shaundi as she told me about how Steelport was industrialized too quickly and that the negative outcomes of it are now showing on the miserable infrastructure and living conditions for most people when I received a text from Pierce, telling us where to go to meet him. A penthouse on the far end of the city that belonged to the Morningstars and we would take over.

Shaundi turned the wheel and began driving in the opposite direction to where we were originally headed. I typed the address into the navigation and it showed us the fastest way to reach it. Pierce told us to start working our way into the penthouse and that he would be there shortly after.

Our drive took us past a park through which we drove and once we exited, we could already see the penthouse at the end of the street. It was a long and straight main road leading right into the penthouse's parking lot. We drove underground, parking the rented car amidst the fancy Morningstar vehicles and took the elevator right into the penthouse apartment.

The only thing that unnerved me in our plan was the fact that I didn't have my two pistols with me. I couldn't wait for Pierce to finally arrive to bring them and my car here. In there, I had my personal cache – another present from Johnny. We had not told Pierce and I have no idea how he will react. Johnny had been a role model to him.

Right now, I had to rely on the shotgun I had taken with me from the plane and the little ammo that came along with it. I hope that I will be able to get a pistol from one of the Morningstars upstairs. Shotguns were all but my thing and one of the few weapons I cannot really deal with. Even a knife would be of more use to me.